Special Photo "DRAWN: From Athens" is one of four exhibitions currently on view at the Hudgens Center for the Arts. Above is"'Hum" by James Barsness.

Four exciting new exhibitions opened to the public at the Hudgens Center for the Arts' galleries on Thursday. "DRAWN: From Athens," "Summer Sk8," "Pulp Fashion: The Art of the Paper Dress" and "Altered Books" are on view to the public through Aug. 25. A reception, open to the public, will be held on Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Hudgens Center to celebrate this new artwork.

"There is something for everyone in this exhibit. Visitors will have the chance to see works using a very wide range of drawing techniques, from the traditional to cutting-edge contemporary," said Hudgens Center's Angela Nichols, director of programming and education. "From straight-forward charcoal on paper drawings to drawing using light on photographic paper, there is such a large diversity of approaches to drawing in this exhibit, just as there is diversity among the artists participating, which include current and retired art faculty from the University of Georgia."

"DRAWN: From Athens" presents work by 15 Athens-based and UGA-schooled artists who specialize in various media. This exhibition illustrates that whether the artist is a videographer, a sculptor, a fabric designer or a photographer, drawing is at the heart of the artistic process. Artists include James Barsness, Jaime Bull, Adriane Colburn, Diane Edison, Laura Foster, Lauren Gallaspy, Susan Hable, Carol John, Alex Murawski, Clay McLaurin, Michael Oliveri, Kathryn Refi, Art Rosenbaum, Leslie Snipes and Jessica Wohl.

"Summer Sk8" features skateboards designed by Didi Dunphy and are made from many different materials.

"I am interested in the intersection of art and design -- fabricating objects that explore the nature of cooperative play," said Dunphy. "Thus, I have designed the 'See Saw,' the 'Swing' and the 'Inside Skateboards,' sculpture for interaction with the hopes that through this recess or play activity, cooperation, collaboration and good ideas will be born between people."

"Pulp Fashion: The Art of the Paper Dress" and "Altered Books" are both enjoying much popularity. This is actually "Pulp Fashion's" second collection and "Altered Books" fourth year. Both exhibitions debuted at the Barefoot in the Park Arts Festival in May. Now, museum patrons will be able to enjoy the beautiful creations all summer.

"Each library branch has a team of very creative staff members who enjoy developing those library displays that catch your eye when you enter, so we weren't surprised when the idea of making paper dresses caught their attention," said Gwinnett Public Library's Branch Services Division Director Barbara Spruill.

Teams were again formed across the branches this year, to share ideas and come up with distinctly unique creations, some of which include jewelry, hairpieces and even shoes made out of paper.

Winners of the "Altered Books" exhibition competition will be announced at the Saturday reception. Guidelines for Altered Books state that entries may be concocted using any creative technique on an old book that is ready for recycling, but that library books are not to be used for the contest, and the competition was open to any Gwinnett County resident.

For more information, visit www.thehudgens.org or call 770-623-6002.

Holley Calmes is a freelance writer and public relations consultant specializing in the arts. Email her at hcalmes@mindspring.com.